Optimization of sortation order receptacle filling

Abstract

Chamber bank for use in a sorting operation includes chambers for receiving a receptacle therein. Each chamber is defined by a floor, a left wall, a right wall, and a rear wall that together define a receiving space for a receptacle. At least one of the left and right wall is taller than the corresponding abutting side wall of the receptacle received therein. A system assigns a first number of articles occupying a first volume to the receptacle such that the first number of articles overfills the receptacle when all of the first number of articles are deposited thereinto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for use in directing a sorting operation, the system comprising:
 a server comprising a memory, a processor, and a receptacle assignment engine;   a chamber bank for use in a sorting operation comprising a plurality of chambers configured for receiving a receptacle therein, each chamber defined by a floor, a left wall, a right wall, and a rear wall that together define a receiving space for a receptacle, wherein top ends of the left wall, the right wall, and the rear wall define an uncovered top opening of the chamber for receiving articles to be sorted therethrough as the articles are deposited into the receptacle, wherein front facing free ends of the left wall, the right wall, and the floor define an uncovered front opening of the chamber for receiving the receptacle therethrough, wherein the floor of the chamber is defined by a base surface of the chamber bank; and   an automated transport vehicle traveling on a platform for transporting and depositing the articles to be sorted into receptacles;   wherein the system is configured to direct the automated transport vehicle to transport and deposit a first number of articles into a first receptacle through the uncovered top opening of the chamber,   wherein the system is configured to assign the first number of articles occupying a first volume to be sorted into a first receptacle such that the first number of articles stack up to extend above a top rim of the first receptacle to thereby overfill the first receptacle when all of the first number of articles are deposited thereinto.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first number of articles are compressed such that a total volume of the first number of articles is less than a total volume of the first receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first number of articles are compressed manually such that the first number of articles fit into the first receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first number of articles are compressed by automated means such that the first number of articles fit into the first receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further transmits information indicating that the first receptacle is ready to be compressed. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the system further transmits information indicating that the first receptacle is ready to be compressed for a second time. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the information is received at a hand-held computing device.